I know it’s Spring Training and I know we should take these results, good or bad, with a grain of salt. But after 2 Dylan Cease starts, it seems more and more evident that he has figured something out.
Everyone remembers last year’s rough adjustment period for Cease once he was called up to Chicago. The 24 year old right-hander flashed his talent, but also put up a forgettable 5.79 ERA in 14 starts.
At Sox Fest a few weeks ago, Cease brought up working on his fastball command numerous times. He specifically has been working on shortening up his arm action so his fastball doesn’t tail as much, which would lead to better command and less walks.
So far it seems to be paying big dividends. After today’s start, he has gone a combined 6.0 IP, giving up just 1 run with 8 K’s and Zero (0) walks this spring.
The 2 curve balls he thew here will get more attention but they were both set up by his improved fastball command. He got the 3rd strikeout of the inning by painting the outside corner with a big time heater, leaving the batter no choice but to swing. By the time he made that decision, it was too late.
Of the 58 pitches Dylan threw today, 40 of them were strikes. Even if it is just Spring Training, you have to love what you’re seeing early from him if you’re a Sox fan. If he can take that next step…look out.
